All You Need to Know About Gold & Diamonds

Nothing beats the beauty of jewellery that perfectly complements you. However, popular designs may become unavailable quickly, so taking care of the pieces you already have is crucial. Carefully storing, cleaning and wearing extends the lifespan of many jewels. We cannot overstate the importance of preserving your precious jewelry with care.

Today, from the house of OM Jewellers, discover everything you need to know about owning, wearing and caring for your jewellery. Treasured ornaments can last a lifetime if maintained, becoming a cherished legacy.

1. How you store jewellery defines its lifespan

Indian styled jewellery often features intricate and delicate designs. Dust particles and moisture easily become trapped between the embedded lines. If not dusted off, these particles cause damage to your ornaments. Always store your jewellery in a cloth-lined box. Even if all your pieces look heavenly together, it is important for their preservation that you separately wrap them in a cotton cloth before storing them. Remember, gold is a soft metal and can easily get scratched or bent.

Pro tip: Invest in a box that has been made especially to store jewellery.

2. Planning a clean-up? Know what to avoid

Never use chlorine on your gold jewellery. This element can temper with the delicate design of your ornaments and may cause structural damage. Always put on your jewelry after applying lotions and makeup to prevent them from coating your pieces.

Alcohol makes an excellent cleaning agent as it doesn’t react with gold or silver and evaporates without leaving a residue. Alternatively, a mild soap and warm water solution can remove any patina or dust buildup.

Pro tip: Create a gentle cleaning solution with 10 parts water to 2 parts soap. Soak your ornaments for no more than 3 hours, then dry them with a cotton cloth.

3. Protect your ornaments with silica pads

Moisture, skin oils, and dust can tarnish your jewellery over time. Silica pads effectively lock in moisture and protect against damage from residual skin oils. If storing for extended periods, use three to four packs of silica gel for enhanced moisture protection.

Pro tip: Add individual silica pads to each piece, like necklaces and bangles, for extra protection.

4. Diamonds must be cared for

Avoid frequently touching diamond-studded jewellery as oils and dirt from your skin can dull the diamond’s sparkle. While diamonds resist water damage, oils and grease can significantly reduce their lustre. Both cut and uncut diamonds are vulnerable to dullness. Refrain from wearing diamond jewellery while applying makeup or hairspray. To clean, gently wipe with a soft, clean cloth.

Pro tip: Once a diamond gets damaged, there is no way its original shine can be restored. We recommend you store them in the jewellery boxes they come in. Otherwise, store each ornament separately in a zip-lock or cotton pouch to prevent rubbing.

5. Diamonds are not for everyday wear

Despite their stunning appearance and durability, it’s best to wear diamonds sparingly. If your daily activities involve harsh chemicals like bleach or salt, it’s wise to leave your diamonds at home.

Pro tip: Intricately designed pieces with multiple small diamonds are the most delicate. Reserve them for special occasions.

6. Get your jewellery cleaned up professionally at least once a year

With hectic schedules, it’s challenging to maintain jewellery regularly. However, an annual professional cleaning ensures your gold and diamonds stay in top condition for years.

At OM Jewellers, our dedicated team carefully works around your ornaments’ design and carvings to give a detailed clean-up.

Pro tip: Cleaning can slightly reduce the weight of your jewellery as it removes accumulated dirt and oil. This is not a cause for concern.

7. Things you must consider while buying Gold

Gold is a significant investment in many cultures, so choosing the right type is crucial. Various alloys are available, offering different strengths and colours. There are several types of gold you can choose from and these variants are available by virtue of the concept of alloying in gold. On that note, we must also address the demand of 24-karat gold, a variant that is too soft to retain any shape it has been crafted into. Thus, it is better to opt for alloyed gold which is reasonably strong and can retain shape with much ease.

Some popular variants of gold alloys are:

Yellow Gold: This traditional gold variant is a mix of pure gold with zinc, copper and silver. Ornaments made out of this variant are hypo-allergenic in nature and require relatively low maintenance. You can wear jewellery made out of yellow gold daily.

White Gold: Ideal for everyday wear, white gold is the toughest variant you can find. Made by mixing nickel or palladium, zinc and copper this gold is pocket-friendly and highly durable.

Rose Gold: This delicate looking gold is obtained by mixing copper in gold. From an investment perspective, rose gold contains as much gold as yellow or white variant does. Its durability makes it ideal for regular wear.

Green Gold: Less common, this strong alloy allows for intricate designs. Its green hue comes from the silver content.

Pro tip: Start with a ring to see how each type of gold fits your lifestyle and wear it daily to test its durability.

8. A fool-proof diamond plan

Understand diamonds by the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Carat, and Clarity. OM Jewellers offers high-grade diamonds for every occasion.

Conclusion

Sustainability requires care, and this applies to your precious gold and diamonds too. With our roots in the Middle East and India, we recognise the cultural and familial significance of jewellery.

At OM Jewellers, we believe that an ornament should tell a story that the upcoming generations can take pride in.